5 Lessons Institute member Margaret Capener submitted a great savings tip. She found a service called "The Freecycle Network" where members can give and receive FREE stuff.
Here's a quote from the Freecycle Network website:
"The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,689 groups with 6,497,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills."
http://www.freecycle.org.
Free? Environmentally friendly? Does it get any better? Thanks for the great tip!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Save Money on Your Electric Bill with Lightswitch BINGO
This tip came into the 5 Lessons Institute earlier this week (we loved it!) and we wanted to share it.
"It seems that our electric bill keeps going up, so we have started playing Light Switch Bingo at our house. Each person has a bingo card with specific rooms in the house in each square. When they find an empty room with the lights on they turn the lights off and get to mark that square on their card. When they get bingo they get to pull a prize or a treat from the reward bucket. We are having fun and saving $$."
--Alan Smith
"It seems that our electric bill keeps going up, so we have started playing Light Switch Bingo at our house. Each person has a bingo card with specific rooms in the house in each square. When they find an empty room with the lights on they turn the lights off and get to mark that square on their card. When they get bingo they get to pull a prize or a treat from the reward bucket. We are having fun and saving $$."
--Alan Smith
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Save Money with Home Spa Treatments
When I married my husband last year I became aware of a reality that I had long suspected—women cost more than men. This first became apparent to me as I observed our different morning routines. My husband rolls out of bed and into the shower where he uses his body wash/shampoo/conditioner for an overall clean. A quick inspection determines whether today is a shaving day or not. Occasionally he will rake his hand through his hair a few times, but besides that he manages to be up and looking presentable within 10 minutes, having used approximately $0.15 of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and hot water.
And then there’s me. Although I pride myself on being somewhat low-key when it comes to my appearance, my routine is an entirely different story. An average morning looks something like this: Wake up about 35 minutes before my husband to take a shower. Shampoo and deep condition hair, wash face with special scrub, shave legs and use a scented body wash. Exit shower and apply toner and lotion to face. Apply make-up. Style hair with blow-dryer and round brush, and finally, apply hair-spray to finish. Overall an unhurried but brisk morning requires about 45 minutes and approximately $4 worth of make-up, hair products, and lotions.
So what is a girl to do? Does budget have to come before beauty?
As a newly-wed on a student’s budget I started getting creative. The first thing that had to change was my salon routine. As you women know, an average trip to the salon (for a cut and color) generally costs between $75--$150. I was spending an average of $110 every 6-8 weeks. This was no longer an option for me so I started looking for alternatives.
I like my hair dark, so although I was initially terrified by the thought, I started researching home hair coloring kits. And I was pleasantly surprised. I was worried about the harsh chemicals in these at-home kits so I found one that didn’t contain ammonia. I use L’Oreal Natural Match No-Ammonia hair coloring. Within 2 dyes I found my best color, and not only does it look professional, but my hair is healthier and my wallet happier. I now pay a meager $45 ($35 professional haircut + $10 home color kit) every 6-8 weeks to keep my hair looking fabulous. *Another brand that came highly recommended was Clairol’s Nice and Easy which you can find for $13.99 at Walgreen’s.
Being something of a hair novice I was surprised by how easy to use these kits were. In the words of my husband (which he immediately regretted) “If you can do it, anyone can!” ($35 savings/month)
And then I really started getting creative. Face-wash, toners, and face-masks were just adding up too quickly. So remembering my teenage fondness for home beauty remedies I did a little research and found some incredible recipes for inexpensive natural body care. My best find was a book published by Klutz called “The Body Book: Recipes for Natural Body Care” by Anne Akers Johnson (2001). This fun book is full of recipes that use inexpensive ingredients, many of which you’ll find in your own kitchen. Here’s a sample of my favorites:
1. Natural Face Scrubs. Rather than spending $15 a month on a facial wash I’ve started making my own with much gentler natural ingredients. I’ve tried several of the facial scrubs in this book but my favorite is the almond scrub which is made with ground almonds and a little water. To add variety you can add other items like baking soda or rosewater (another website even recommended adding honey!). This softens and exfoliates the skin. ($12 savings/month)
2. Soothing Facial Toner. This book touts many recipes for facial toners that use Witch Hazel as a base. Witch Hazel can be found at most grocery stores and pharmacies and has excellent astringent (pore tightening) qualities. Anything from essential oils to lemon juice makes your toner complete. ($10 savings/month)
3. Face Masks. Another place to save money is with homemade face masks. Everyday ingredients like bananas, yogurt, avocados, honey and oatmeal can be mixed to create a great facial routine. My favorite is made from honey and oats—it makes my skin very soft and is great for clearing pores! I just have to be careful not to eat it! ($8 savings/month) Check out Anne Akers Johnson’s book for the complete recipes and a “home spa kit”! I found the book on Amazon, where as always there were some great discounted copies. This book also has great ideas on making inexpensive “spa gifts” for friends and family.
Home Pedicures and Manicures. Rather than a $30 professional manicure or pedicure why not try one at home? I soak my feet for about 10 minutes in a basin full of warm water mixed with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I then exfoliate with a pumice stone. After cleaning and trimming my nails I use a thick moisturize that I can leave on overnight. And men—don’t be shy about getting in on the action; my husband loves these foot soaks (sorry I’m ratting you out honey!). Also, many sources claim that lemon juice is just the thing for whitening and strengthening your fingernails. Try soaking your fingertips in lemon juice for a few minutes as part of your weekly manicure and notice the great results! ($30 savings/month)
The Miracles of Olive Oil. Maybe it’s my Italian blood, but I have found olive oil to be the best beauty ingredient out there (think of how many commercially-made beauty products feature “With Olive Oil!” as their main selling point.). For a really deep conditioner I run a few teaspoons of olive oil through my hair, let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse it out thoroughly. I also regularly rub olive oil into my hands, cuticles and feet for a deep moisturizer.
Girls’ Night In. As an extra tip, rather than spending upwards of $30 for dinner and a movie with the girls, why not hold a “Girl’s Night In” and share your new-found beauty tips? I’ve done more of these nights than I can count and I can tell you for a fact that you’ll have a fun, relaxing night.
Research. I’ve shared just a few of the things I’ve found to work in my beauty routine—but there is so much more out there! Try scouring your local library or doing an internet search on home beauty remedies, you’ll find tons of information.
So yes ladies, budgeting does factor into our beauty routines. But with a little creativity, research and everyday kitchen items we can bring our beauty expenditures down while still maintaining our beautiful, glowing selves. And don’t be surprised when you have a ball doing it.
And then there’s me. Although I pride myself on being somewhat low-key when it comes to my appearance, my routine is an entirely different story. An average morning looks something like this: Wake up about 35 minutes before my husband to take a shower. Shampoo and deep condition hair, wash face with special scrub, shave legs and use a scented body wash. Exit shower and apply toner and lotion to face. Apply make-up. Style hair with blow-dryer and round brush, and finally, apply hair-spray to finish. Overall an unhurried but brisk morning requires about 45 minutes and approximately $4 worth of make-up, hair products, and lotions.
So what is a girl to do? Does budget have to come before beauty?
As a newly-wed on a student’s budget I started getting creative. The first thing that had to change was my salon routine. As you women know, an average trip to the salon (for a cut and color) generally costs between $75--$150. I was spending an average of $110 every 6-8 weeks. This was no longer an option for me so I started looking for alternatives.
I like my hair dark, so although I was initially terrified by the thought, I started researching home hair coloring kits. And I was pleasantly surprised. I was worried about the harsh chemicals in these at-home kits so I found one that didn’t contain ammonia. I use L’Oreal Natural Match No-Ammonia hair coloring. Within 2 dyes I found my best color, and not only does it look professional, but my hair is healthier and my wallet happier. I now pay a meager $45 ($35 professional haircut + $10 home color kit) every 6-8 weeks to keep my hair looking fabulous. *Another brand that came highly recommended was Clairol’s Nice and Easy which you can find for $13.99 at Walgreen’s.
Being something of a hair novice I was surprised by how easy to use these kits were. In the words of my husband (which he immediately regretted) “If you can do it, anyone can!” ($35 savings/month)
And then I really started getting creative. Face-wash, toners, and face-masks were just adding up too quickly. So remembering my teenage fondness for home beauty remedies I did a little research and found some incredible recipes for inexpensive natural body care. My best find was a book published by Klutz called “The Body Book: Recipes for Natural Body Care” by Anne Akers Johnson (2001). This fun book is full of recipes that use inexpensive ingredients, many of which you’ll find in your own kitchen. Here’s a sample of my favorites:
1. Natural Face Scrubs. Rather than spending $15 a month on a facial wash I’ve started making my own with much gentler natural ingredients. I’ve tried several of the facial scrubs in this book but my favorite is the almond scrub which is made with ground almonds and a little water. To add variety you can add other items like baking soda or rosewater (another website even recommended adding honey!). This softens and exfoliates the skin. ($12 savings/month)
2. Soothing Facial Toner. This book touts many recipes for facial toners that use Witch Hazel as a base. Witch Hazel can be found at most grocery stores and pharmacies and has excellent astringent (pore tightening) qualities. Anything from essential oils to lemon juice makes your toner complete. ($10 savings/month)
3. Face Masks. Another place to save money is with homemade face masks. Everyday ingredients like bananas, yogurt, avocados, honey and oatmeal can be mixed to create a great facial routine. My favorite is made from honey and oats—it makes my skin very soft and is great for clearing pores! I just have to be careful not to eat it! ($8 savings/month) Check out Anne Akers Johnson’s book for the complete recipes and a “home spa kit”! I found the book on Amazon, where as always there were some great discounted copies. This book also has great ideas on making inexpensive “spa gifts” for friends and family.
Home Pedicures and Manicures. Rather than a $30 professional manicure or pedicure why not try one at home? I soak my feet for about 10 minutes in a basin full of warm water mixed with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I then exfoliate with a pumice stone. After cleaning and trimming my nails I use a thick moisturize that I can leave on overnight. And men—don’t be shy about getting in on the action; my husband loves these foot soaks (sorry I’m ratting you out honey!). Also, many sources claim that lemon juice is just the thing for whitening and strengthening your fingernails. Try soaking your fingertips in lemon juice for a few minutes as part of your weekly manicure and notice the great results! ($30 savings/month)
The Miracles of Olive Oil. Maybe it’s my Italian blood, but I have found olive oil to be the best beauty ingredient out there (think of how many commercially-made beauty products feature “With Olive Oil!” as their main selling point.). For a really deep conditioner I run a few teaspoons of olive oil through my hair, let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse it out thoroughly. I also regularly rub olive oil into my hands, cuticles and feet for a deep moisturizer.
Girls’ Night In. As an extra tip, rather than spending upwards of $30 for dinner and a movie with the girls, why not hold a “Girl’s Night In” and share your new-found beauty tips? I’ve done more of these nights than I can count and I can tell you for a fact that you’ll have a fun, relaxing night.
Research. I’ve shared just a few of the things I’ve found to work in my beauty routine—but there is so much more out there! Try scouring your local library or doing an internet search on home beauty remedies, you’ll find tons of information.
So yes ladies, budgeting does factor into our beauty routines. But with a little creativity, research and everyday kitchen items we can bring our beauty expenditures down while still maintaining our beautiful, glowing selves. And don’t be surprised when you have a ball doing it.
Happy Beautifying!
How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees
As a consultant for corporations, I’ve traveled a great deal during the past several years. During that time I have noticed a fundamental change in the travel industry. The cost of travelling used to be much more forthright, with the price quoted generally being the price paid. And then society changed. To keep up with that change, hotels, airlines and rental car agencies began lowering prices to compete for business—and began tacking on “hidden” fees. I’ll never forget the time I thought I’d gotten a great deal on a hotel stay, only to have sticker shock when the final bill included over $130 in extra charges. For a long time I just accepted these fees, and then my sister-in-law gave me a copy of The 5 Lessons, for Christmas. It was then that I decided I worked too hard to not add to my wealth through savings.
My financial attitude wasn’t an easy habit to break. Growing up, my parents always told us kids we couldn’t afford whatever it was we wanted. I promised myself I wouldn’t live that way as an adult. And, as you know, impressions are important in being successful. I was in the habit of being “generous” with myself and everyone around me. Dickering over dollars and cents just didn’t feel worth it. Until I started keeping track of just how much those dollar and cents added up to in hours of my life spent away from my family, making money we would never benefit from. That was enough to encourage me to find ways to “Win in the Margins through Savings”.
Jeff’s TOP 5 Tips for Avoiding Hidden Hotel Fees
- Research. Although federal law requires hotels to disclose information, it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask about fees that may not be included in your room rate. If the hotel your staying in has a towel fee, hospitality fee, valet fee, groundskeeping fee, resort fee, bellman fee, maid fee or any other fee you won’t be taking advantage of or feel uncomfortable with, address it on the front end while making reservations and checking in. Don’t wait until you’re checking out.
- Skip the bellman. Buy a suitcase with wheels on it, if you travel enough to warrant that. Otherwise, only bring what you can carry. (This helps with airline baggage fees, as well.)
- Use your cell phone. Never, ever use your hotel’s room phone to do anything but place calls within the hotel.
- Don’t order room service. If you must eat at the hotel, sit in the restaurant. Better yet, walk down the street. Personally, I stock my room with water (don’t even think about drinking the bottled water provided in your hotel room) and healthy foods. I only eat out with clients.
- Don’t approach the mini-bar. Some hotel refrigerators will charge you for moving the contents over to add your own food. Others will charge you for leaving your hand inside the door for too long. If something requires refrigeration, walk down the hall to the ice machine, fill your ice bucket and use it.
I’ve come to enjoy saving my dollars and cents, and, if anything, I’m more generous because my money doesn’t disappear into fees. In just under two years, I’ve saved approximately $16,000 on my travel expenditures. And I’ve never had anyone react negatively to my frugality. In fact, professionally, I have better relationships with my clients. They trust me not to waste their money.
How to Lower Homeowner's Insurance Rates
Every year I anxiously await Richard Paul Evans’ newest novel. Imagine my surprise, a few years back, when I discovered his newest book, The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth, wasn’t a novel at all, but a financial guide. I’d wanted to get sucked into a great story, only to be asked by my favorite author to look my darkest fear straight in the eyes. Plus, I was skeptical. I had failed financially too many times not to be. But as I turned each page, I felt hope grow inside me, and excitement. This, I thought, is something I can do!
After reading about the “Seven Golden Words”, I set The 5 Lessons down and called my phone company. Once connected with the representative, I asked how his day was going, and then asked if my phone rate was the best they could do? It only took a few minutes for him to cut unnecessary services and fees from my phone bill and reduce my payment by more than $30 a month!
Instead of expressing my frustrations to the woman who answered my call, I kindly explained my situation and asked if she would help me find ways to reduce my rate. It worked like a charm, as she began looking for ways for me to save. By paying for a $150 inspection on my recently replaced roof, I received a rate-reduction of $723 per year, and found that I was eligible for additional savings if I would complete a few very minor upgrades, like putting deadbolts on all my exterior doors. I got a reduction for being with my insurer for more than six years, and for having smoke detectors and a security system. I stopped ensuring the land my home was built on, because neither fire nor flood would take it away. I even got a reduction for not smoking. Best of all, none of these reductions compromised my home’s coverage. When everything was said and done, my homeowner’s insurance was reduced annually by more than $1855!
I now share The 5 Lessons with everyone I know and love watching it change lives. A visiting friend made fun of me when I wouldn’t shop without a coupon and always used the “Seven Golden Words”. By the end of her vacation she was following my example and saved enough to pay for her return airline ticket home. The 5 Lessons have taught me how to save money without the consequences of giving up what I really want. I just ask, and then put the savings into what I want most—my growing nest-egg!
Welcome
Welcome to the Winning in the Margins blog. This blog is based on Richard Paul Evans' book The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth, a succesful financial book that outlines basic principles to help anyone succeed financially.
The 5 Lessons are as follows:
1. Decide to be wealthy.
2. Take responsibility for your money.
3. Keep a portion of everything you earn.
4. Win in the margins.
5. Give back.
These 5 tools have helped hundreds of people to reclaim their lives and finances--and we want to help you do the same.
We've had a lot of people write to us about wanting to know more about the concept of WINNING IN THE MARGINS. So what is it? Winning in the Margins is any action that helps you to save some extra money, whether it is through extra income, or savings you find in everyday expenditures.
Through the years many "5-Lessoners" have shared their tips and secrets with us. We want to share these ideas with you and hear how YOU are managing to save during this difficult time.
We invite you to post your thoughts, comments and ideas. Our mission is to create a community of individuals dedicated to promoting peaceful, meaningful lives through financial stability. Welcome! We're glad you're here.
The 5 Lessons are as follows:
1. Decide to be wealthy.
2. Take responsibility for your money.
3. Keep a portion of everything you earn.
4. Win in the margins.
5. Give back.
These 5 tools have helped hundreds of people to reclaim their lives and finances--and we want to help you do the same.
We've had a lot of people write to us about wanting to know more about the concept of WINNING IN THE MARGINS. So what is it? Winning in the Margins is any action that helps you to save some extra money, whether it is through extra income, or savings you find in everyday expenditures.
Through the years many "5-Lessoners" have shared their tips and secrets with us. We want to share these ideas with you and hear how YOU are managing to save during this difficult time.
We invite you to post your thoughts, comments and ideas. Our mission is to create a community of individuals dedicated to promoting peaceful, meaningful lives through financial stability. Welcome! We're glad you're here.
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